Now that the free agency signing period has, for the most part, wrapped up, we here at Ol’ Bag of Donuts decided it was time to turn our attention to the next big event on the NFL horizon: the 2009 draft, set for April 25-26 in New York City.
Granted, we’re still over a month away from anyone officially being on the clock, so this thing is likely to change quite a bit between now and the start of the draft. But for us, it’s never too early to start rolling out the mock drafts. I will be handling the duties for this first mock, with both Adam and Gene giving their thoughts in the days and weeks to follow.
I could say more, but really, how about we just tee this thing up now?
That’s what I thought. Enjoy.
–Chris Lempesis
1. Detroit Lions – Jason Smith, OT, Baylor
It’s trendy to say the Lions will take quarterback Matthew Stafford with the first pick. But new head coach Jim Schwartz is an “in-the-trenches” kind of guy and will build that way, starting now.
2. St. Louis Rams – Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia
The Rams desperately wanted offensive tackle Jake Long with the second overall pick last year. They missed out but end up with Monroe, a nice consolation prize of sorts.
3. Kansas City Chiefs – Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake Forest
The acquisition of quarterback Matt Cassel also takes the Chiefs out of the Stafford sweepstakes. Curry pairs with another former Patriot, Mike Vrabel, to form a solid OLB tandem in Kansas City.
4. Seattle Seahawks – Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas
Wide receiver Michael Crabtree was long considered to be heading here. Now that the Seahawks have signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, though, they will focus on their defense. Good decision.
5. Cleveland Browns – B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
New head coach Eric Mangini needs a big-time defensive tackle to anchor his version of the 3-4 next season. Enter Raji, a player built for the 3-4 nose position at 6-feet, 2-inches and 320 pounds.
6. Cincinnati Bengals – Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Bengals would have loved to grab Orakpo or Raji, but since neither is available, they take Jenkins, who will still provide help for their long-terrible defense.
7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
The trainwreck Raiders need a big-time weapon for quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Crabtree is that guy, despite his foot injury (you think Al Davis cares about that stuff anyways?).
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jeremy Macklin, WR, Missouri
Jacksonville is in a similar situation as the Raiders (i.e., not much talent at the receiver position). Macklin doesn’t have as much upside as Crabtree but should give quarterback David Garrard some help.
9. Green Bay Packers – Everett Brown, OLB, Florida State
Since this is a Packers blog, I’ll write a little more about this one. Let me begin by saying I have a lot of doubts that Brown will actually be the pick. If Orakpo and Raji are indeed gone, chances are Teddy trades out of this pick, probably to someone who wants Stafford or USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. In the unlikely event he does keep the pick, though, he’ll have to focus on finding a pass rusher for the new 3-4 scheme. And while any pass rusher from Florida State scares me more than just a bit (cough, Jamal Reynolds, cough, cough), he’s the best that will be left at this spot.
10. San Francisco 49ers – Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia
If Stafford is still here, the 49ers will be doing cartwheels. Stafford has the arm to throw in windy San Francisco and will allow the 49ers to officially move on from the Alex Smith experiment.
11. Buffalo Bills – Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma State
Signing Terrell Owens puts Buffalo in the “top-flight offense” range. Drafting the best tight end available could put the Bills over the top.
12. Denver Broncos – Mark Sanchez, QB, USC
The Jay Cutler situation has deteriorated to the point where the Broncos will end up having to trade him. Sanchez has a very strong arm and should grow under the tutelage of new head coach Josh McDaniels.
13. Washington Redskins – Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
After cutting Jason Taylor, the ‘Skins need to find his replacement. Jackson and Albert “Old Country Buffet” Haynesworth will give Washington two very nice d-line upgrades.
14. New Orleans Saints – Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State
The release of Deuce McAllister creates a power-running void for New Orleans. Wells is just the masher the Saints need.
15. Houston Texans – Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois
The Texans have the makings for a very nice offensive attack. The defense has to improve and, to some, Davis is the best corner available this year.
16. San Diego Chargers – Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia
LaDainian Tomlinson only has about a year or two left in the tank and Darren Sproles probably isn’t an every-down back. Moreno probably is.
17. New York Jets – Rey Maualuga, ILB, USC
Despite signing Bart Scott, New York still needs another inside ‘backer for the 3-4 scheme of new head coach Rex Ryan. Maualuga is a near-perfect fit.
18. Chicago Bears – Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
The Bears nabbed one starting tackle of the future last year in Chris Williams. Although Smith has plummeted out of the top five with poor combine/pro day showings, he is a steal here.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State
The Buccaneers certainly have the numbers at the QB position. What they don’t have is a surefire player. Freeman will instantly be the best of that group.
20. Detroit Lions (from Dallas Cowboys) – Aaron Maybin, DE, Penn State
Schwartz and Co. focused on the offense with the top pick. They will now turn to Schwartz’s specialty with Detroit’s second pick of the round.
21. Philadelphia Eagles – Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina
It appears as though the Eagles, once again, will ignore Donovan McNabb’s cries to get a proven weapon at the receiver spot via free agency or trade. Still, Nicks has the physical tools (6-feet, 2-inches and 210 pounds) to grow into a strong player.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Percy Harvin, WR, Florida
The Vikes need, need, need a weapon in the passing game. Harvin is more of an all-around threat, but he’s the best that’s left this late in the round.
23. New England Patriots – James Laurenitis, ILB, Ohio State
Tedi Bruschi, 35, isn’t getting any younger and the Pats need someone to pair up with Defensive Rookie of the Year Jerod Mayo at inside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. Laurenitis should be a solid fit.
24. Atlanta Falcons – Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech
Johnson is listed as a defensive end, but at 260 pounds, he might be better suited to be an outside linebacker. That’s good news for Atlanta as it lost both its OLBs, Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, and needs to replace them in the worst way.
25. Miami Dolphins – Darrius Hayward-Bay, WR, Maryland
Ted Ginn Jr. is starting to develop into a good pro, but the ‘Fins need someone to compliment him. At 6-feet, 2-inches and 206 pounds, Hayward-Bay should become a nice pro in time.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Sean Smith, CB, Utah
By releasing corners Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle, the Ravens definitely created a need at this position. Smith pairs with free agent acquisition Dominique Foxworth to give Baltimore a nice, young tandem.
27. Indianapolis Colts – Michael Oher, OT, Mississippi
Tony Ugoh just has not panned out the way the Colts had hoped. He’s only two years into his career, but still, protecting Peyton Manning’s blindside is of utmost importance so Indy will attempt to upgrade at left tackle.
28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina Panthers) – Louis Delmas, FS, Western Michigan
Brian Dawkins’ departure, via free agency, to Denver leaves a sizeable hole in Philadelphia’s secondary. Delmas racked up 111 tackles and four interceptions for the Broncos last season and will be a nice replacement.
29. New York Giants – Clay Matthews, OLB, USC
Big Blue has definitely improved along the defensive line, by signing free agents Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard. Still, the linebacking unit could be better and Matthews will go a long way in making it so.
30. Tennessee Titans – Alex Mack, C, California
Kevin Mawae is still getting the job done, but at 38 years old, time is running out. Mack is, hands down, the best center available this year and should anchor the Titans’ line for at least a decade.
31. Arizona Cardinals – Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut
Edgerrin James is nearing the end of his career and Tim Hightower, while nice, is an unproven commodity. Brown is a workhorse who averaged over 28 carries a game in leading the nation in rushing (2,083 yards) last season.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers – Brian Cushing, OLB, USC
James Harrison’s contract situation could get ugly and the Steelers need to make sure they’re covered. Cushing is that insurance.
Ol' Bag of Donuts 